Ski Fasteners Patents (Class 280/611)
  • Patent number: 7513509
    Abstract: A device (1) for mounting the components of a safety binding on a ski (2), comprising: a rigid platform (3) that extends over the entire length of the area in which the binding is mounted and comprises lateral slides (12); an elastomer element (4) that extends under the rigid platform (3) and is intended to come into contact with the upper surface of the ski (2); two limit stops (6) and (5), front and back respectively, that cooperate with the rigid platform (3) in order to restrict its longitudinal displacement; a rear plate (7) capable of accommodating the heel piece of the binding, said rear plate (7) being mechanically linked to the rigid platform (3) and secured on the board through retention elements (42, 44) that are directly fixed on the ski either side of the rigid platform (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Skis Dynaster
    Inventors: Philippe Guyot, Bernard Bayle, Olivier Perrin, Christophe Gerossier
  • Publication number: 20090066060
    Abstract: Telemark ski bindings may incorporate a rotational decoupler as disclosed. When exposed to subthreshold torques during normal use, the ski boot will remain rotationally coupled to (i.e, cannot rotate relative to) the ski. When exposed to threshold- or suprathreshold torques, such as when a skier loses control, the ski boot will become rotationally decoupled from (i.e., can rotate relative to) the ski, thereby protecting the skier's legs from the excessive torque and resulting leg injury. Also disclosed are tracked/railed alpine touring and telemark bindings, as well as methods for interchanging such bindings on railed/tracked skis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: Cary A. Thompson III
    Inventors: Cary A. Thompson, III, David Durrance
  • Patent number: 7494148
    Abstract: A binding, in particular a snowboard binding comprises a base plate; a heel-cradling element; a toe-cradling element; an instep-strapping arrangement having a long part connected to one side of the base plate and a short side part connected to the other side; a closure device for the instep-strapping arrangement; and a flexible linkage connecting the closure device of the instep-strapping arrangement and the toe-cradling element. In an open position the toe-cradling element is free to move, and in a closed position the flexible linkage pulls the toe-cradling element, so the foot is secured between the toe-cradling element, the heel-cradling element and the instep-strapping arrangement. In this closed position the held-together parts of the instep-strapping arrangement hold a foot securely by forces acting between these parts through the closure device, independently of the need to maintain tension in the flexible linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Arnaud Muscatelli
  • Patent number: 7487991
    Abstract: A board (1) for gliding, in particular on snow, having a protective upper layer (3) covering the internal structure of the board, including the core (5) and any reinforcements (10), wherein: it has a metal plate (2) arranged between the protective upper layer (3) and the internal structure of the board, said plate (2) is located level with a transparent region (4) of the protective upper layer (3), said plate (2) has at least one recess (12) formed on its upper face, inside which the material of the protective upper layer (3) penetrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Skis Rossignol S.A.S.
    Inventors: Lionel Degasperi, Jean-Claude Meyer, Thierry Monnet, Philippe Largueze
  • Publication number: 20090026731
    Abstract: A snowboard system (100) includes a pack (102) mounted to a snowboard (104) by way of a mounting plate (106). The pack (102) is attached to the mounting plate (106). The mounting plate (106) is then mounted on the snowboard (104) using the binding fasteners. Specifically, the bindings are removed from the snowboard (104), and the mounting plate (106) is then placed on the snowboard (104) so that the openings of the mounting plate are aligned with the fastener receptacles of the snowboard (104). The bindings are then reattached to the snowboard (104) so that the mounting plate (106) is captured therebetween. In this manner, the pack (102) is secured to the snowboard (104) without any additional mounting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: Willy Edward Stewart, III
  • Patent number: 7448641
    Abstract: A device for the adjustable fastening of an accessory on a gliding board, which comprises a base comprising means for fastening the accessory and which accommodates a bar having a toothed part suitable for positioning in a complementary toothed part secured to the gliding board, which device comprises a crank that can rotate within the base and one end of which is connected to a lever, and wherein the bar has one degree of freedom and a part in contact with the bent part of the crank, so that a first position of the lever corresponds to the low position of the toothed part and a second position corresponds to a high position of the toothed part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Look Fixations S.A.
    Inventors: Thierry Buquet, Frédéric Farges, Hans-J Horn, Christian Lucas, Gérard Thomas
  • Patent number: 7438307
    Abstract: A safety binding device for binding a boot on an alpine ski including a releasable retaining mechanism of the mechanical, hydraulic, viscoelastic type, which actuate a release as a function of the forces to which the boot is subjected and as a function of the duration ?t of the application of such forces. The release action occurs as soon as the magnitude of the force is greater than an actual release threshold, Sr, which is dependent upon the duration ?t of the application of force, such that if duration is greater than one second, the actual release threshold is between 50% and 75% of the theoretical release threshold, St, whereby: ?t>1 s; 0.75×St?Sr(?t)?0.5×St, with the theoretical release threshold St being determined as a function of the skier's parameters in conformance with ISO standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventors: Laurent Damiani, Pierre Desarmaux, Christian Brunet, Pierre Jean Arnoux
  • Patent number: 7431323
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting device (1) between a boot (2) and a board-like type of sports equipment (3), in particular a ski binding. The connecting device comprises a toe or front binding fixture (5) that can be associated with the tip (4) of the boot, and a heel or rear binding fixture (7) that can be associated with the heel area (6) the boot (2). The binding fixtures each have a sole holder (8,9) for engaging the boot (2). The boot is clamped between the sole holders with a pre-tensioning force that is applicable via a pre-tensioning spring (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: ATOMIC Austria GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Holzer, Franz Resch
  • Patent number: 7404564
    Abstract: A snow gliding board (1) comprises, in particular, an upper surface consisting of an upper decorative and protective element (16) having a recess in which an insert (21, 22, 23) is fitted. The insert (21, 22, 23) comprises at least one first part made of an elastomer material (24) juxtaposed on the upper surface with at least one second part made of a metallic material (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Skis Rossignol
    Inventors: Vincent Bregeon, Max Mermet, Lionel Degasperi, David Bouvier, Philippe Largeuze, Benjamin Cuier
  • Publication number: 20080150255
    Abstract: An illuminated ski or snowboard binding is disclosed, where the source of illumination is mounted to the ski or snowboard binding. The illuminated ski or snowboard incorporates the use of an illuminated device that is detachably secured to the binding of the ski or snowboard and is powered by a 9V battery. The present invention provides increases the safety of night skiing and snowboarding by illuminating the immediate surroundings and as well as increases the visibility of the user to others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Gerald Joseph Hogenmiller, Kelly Ann Hogenmiller, Joshua Gerald Hogenmiller
  • Publication number: 20080150256
    Abstract: An article, such as an alpine or cross-country binding, provided to be associated with a sports apparatus, such as a ski, the article including a control mechanism movable between at least two positions. The control mechanism includes an arrangement for attracting an actuating member, such as the end of a ski pole, that is separate from the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.
    Inventors: Francois GIRARD, Eddy YELOVINA
  • Patent number: 7387309
    Abstract: A mechanism for attaching a boot to a ski with the heel end of the boot being height adjustable. The toe end portion of the boot is pivotly attaching to the ski. A pair of members extend from the heel end portion and the ski respectively and have serrated surfaces which face each other with serrations in one surface engaging complementary serrations in the other surface at various heights of the heel end portion. The members are fastened together at various heights to which the heel end portion is adjusted. A track on the heel end portion is slidably engaged by the heel end portion member. Alternatively, a pair of members are pivotly attached to the ski along a common pivot axis and are drawn together and apart by a screw, and a track structure on the boot is slidably engaged by end portions of the members. A boot plate is pivotly laterally adjustable. An extension member is attachable to an end portion of the boot plate for increasing boot plate length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Inventor: Michael M. Pupko
  • Patent number: 7384057
    Abstract: An apparatus for tensioning the cable or bail of a ski-touring binding, a tensioning lever for such apparatus, and a replacement component for the lever are provided. The apparatus provides different tension for walking and for skiing. The lever includes a handle and a pivot for rotational engagement of the lever on the cable or bail. The pivot is located between the handle and a plurality of boot heel holders. The holders are configured such that at least one holder will contact the ski boot heel at a different distance relative to the pivot than another of the holders. The replacement component is removably fixed to the lever and is configured to provide a heel holder surface and to retain a bail or cable in rotational engagement with the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Inventors: Oliver Steffen, James D. Shaw
  • Publication number: 20080129014
    Abstract: A highback is provided for controlling a gliding board, such as a snowboard, through leg movement of a rider. The highback is comprised of an upright support member to support a rear region of the rider's leg. The highback includes a textile-like material that extends across a portion of the support member to provide support for a portion of the rider's leg. The support member may have an opening therein with the textile-like material extending across the opening to assist in transmitting forces applied to that region of the support member as the rider presses against the highback during riding maneuvers. The textile-like material may help to distribute forces across a larger area of the rider's leg or boot so as to reduce pressure points against the rider's leg. The textile-like material may include one or more filaments, a fabric, or a fabric-like material that is coupled to the support member to support the rider's leg. The textile-like material may include a mesh fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: The Burton Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher C. Cunningham, Bryan S. Davis, Christopher M. Doyle, Edward Giard, Scott T. Keller, Kahlil Zaloom
  • Publication number: 20080122201
    Abstract: A multi-function binding system configured for use on a sliding board comprising: (a) a binding operable with a boot assembly, the binding comprising a support surface and toe and heel pieces extending therefrom; (b) a base assembly configured to be rotatably and removably secured to a deck of a sliding board and to releasably couple the binding during use of the sliding board, the base assembly comprising: (i) a support disc configured to be removably coupled to the deck of the sliding board and to secure the base assembly to the sliding board; (ii) a deck plate rotatable about the support disc and configured to be positioned adjacent the deck; (iii) a bonnet also rotatable about the support disc and configured to receive and engage the binding, the bonnet operable with the deck plate to support one or more components of the base assembly; (iv) adjustment means for facilitating the rotational adjustment of the bonnet and the deck plate about the support disc and with respect to the sliding board, thereby fac
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Douglas K. Furr, Brady S. Fox, Matthew E. Miller
  • Publication number: 20080116664
    Abstract: A snowboard binding for securing a boot to a snowboard includes a base that is mounted on the snowboard. The base includes a base plate and a pair of side rails that extend upwardly from the base plate along lateral sides of the base plate. The snowboard binding further includes a high-back support secured to the pair of side rails. The high-back support is fabricated from a single piece of material and has a hinge formed therein to adjust a forward lean position of the high-back support. Additional design features and methods are disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: The Burton Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Warburton, James Laughlin, Jared Eberhardt
  • Publication number: 20080116663
    Abstract: A pivoting ski binding for binding a ski boot to a ski for use by a skier includes rod structure coupled to the ski boot, and step-in structure constructed to allow the boot and rod structure to couple to the ski when the skier steps down onto the ski. Several versions are described including ones wherein the rod structure is intergral with the ski boot, and others wherein the rod structure is attachable or couplable to the ski boot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventor: Kaj Gyr
  • Patent number: 7374194
    Abstract: An apparatus for binding a boot to a base plate of a snowboard, having: a first band mounted on a first side of the base plate; a second band mounted on a second side of the base plate opposite the first side of the base plate in a width direction, the second band being removably attached to the first band, so as to fasten a toe end portion of the boot to the base plate wherein the second band fastens the toe end portion at an acute angle with respect to the base plate and the toe end portion of the boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Carmate Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Naito, Tosiaki Sato, Yoshinori Uchie
  • Patent number: 7367579
    Abstract: A snowboard binding includes a base plate and a heel support attached directly or indirectly to this base plate so that it can pivot. Intermediate elements mount the heel support and can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the snowboard binding. Thus, the effective length of the snowboard binding can be adapted to the respective boot. Also, through different positioning of the intermediate elements, the heel support can be arranged diagonally relative to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Goodwell International Ltd.
    Inventor: Mark Elkington
  • Patent number: 7357406
    Abstract: A ski boot sole for cooperating with a ski binding to releasably hold the sole in the binding, the sole having front and rear recesses with front and rear fitting plates. The front recess and the front fitting plate are engaged by the front sole holder rotatable about a longitudinal axis for releasably holding the front sole holder against displacement in the forward, sideways and vertical directions. The rear recess and rear fitting plate are engageable by the rear sole holder which is rotatable about a transverse axis. The rear sole holder butts against the portion of the fitting plate extending outside the border of the sole to secure the rear portion of the sole in the rearward, sideways and vertical directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignees: Marker Deutschlanf GmbH, Tecnica S.p.A., Völkl Sports GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Krumbeck, Michael Mangold, Andreas Mann, Antonello Marega, Andrea Gabrielli
  • Publication number: 20080073876
    Abstract: A heel piece of a safety binding for a ski boot that is able to occupy at least two positions, an open position and a closed position in which it is able to hold a ski boot securely for skiing, the heel piece comprising a body (11) that occupies the same position in each of these two positions of the heel piece, the body (11) comprising a release mechanism to allow the boot to be released in the closed position of the heel piece if a force exceeds a predetermined level, the heel piece further comprising a lever (12) comprising jaws (14) in its anterior part, these being able to collaborate with the heel of a ski boot, the lever (12) being mounted so that it can rotate relative to the body (11) about a pivot (13) so as to occupy two different positions corresponding to the two, open and closed, positions of the heel piece, wherein at least one end of the pivot (13) is held near the body (11) of the heel piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventor: Frederic Farges
  • Patent number: 7338067
    Abstract: A sports board binding and foot traction apparatus for use in sports boards such as surfboard, skateboard, wakeboards, and the like. The apparatus includes a sports board having an upper surface and at least one magnet holding receptable disposed in the upper surface; A a ferromagnetic bar is disposed under the bottom of the magnet holding receptacles, and permanent magnets are placed in the receptacles to form a magnetic region on the surface of the board. An article of sports footwear having a sole is provided, and a ferromagnetic plate is disposed in at lest a portion of the footwear soles. When the footwear is brought into proximity with the magnetic field, a binding force is applied to the footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Inventor: Theodore J. Flaig
  • Patent number: 7320476
    Abstract: Toe-piece for attaching a boot to a sliding board, comprising a body (2) and at least one jaw (3) which is rotationally movable about an substantially horizontal axis (5) in accordance with a first bearing on the body (2) for release in the event of a backward fall and rotationally movable about an substantially vertical axis (6) in accordance with a second bearing on the body (2) for release in the event of torsion, wherein the bearing surface between the jaw (3) and the body (2) on the jaw (3) and/or the body (2) has an inclined part (7, 7?) to represent a specific setting of the release threshold of the binding for certain particular falls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Look Fixations S.A.
    Inventor: Gaston Haldemann
  • Patent number: 7316412
    Abstract: A device for receiving and retaining a foot or a boot on a sports apparatus is disclosed. The device has a seat associated with a rear support element, the rear support element having a support surface facing a free surface, the rear support element being rotatably mounted with respect to the seat, an abutment limiting a rearward rotation of the rear support element, the abutment having a cursor that is movable along the rear support element, as well as a mechanism for immobilizing the cursor on the rear support element. A wall covers the cursor on the side of the free surface, the immobilizing mechanism extending through the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventor: Bernard Couderc
  • Patent number: 7306241
    Abstract: A binding or boot strap is provided that allows a rider to easily, rapidly and/or effectively tighten and/or loosen the strap about his or her boot. The strap includes a boot-engaging strap portion that engages with an engagement strap coupleable to the boot, as may be the case with boots used for step-in bindings, or to the binding, as may be the case with strap-type bindings. An arrangement for facilitating tightening/loosening of the two strap pieces so that a rider can slip his or her foot into or out from the boot or fasten the boot to or loosen it from a snowboard binding is also provided. In one embodiment, this arrangement includes a tightening element, such as for example a cord, lace or strap, suitably coupled to one or both strap portions such that a rider can pull on the tightening element to move the strap pieces relative to each other and tighten the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: The Burton Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Cunningham, Christopher Doyle, Gregory Dean, Scott Keller, Florian Lang
  • Patent number: 7246811
    Abstract: A snowboard binding (100) is disclosed having a base plate (102) with a highback (120) pivotally attached. A locking lever (130) is disposed on the back of the highback for locking the highback in a generally upright position with a desired maximum forward lean. A flexible member such as a strap (140) or a panel (202), cord guide (204), and cord (206) attached to the highback and to the locking lever to facilitate moving the lever between an open position and a locked position. In an embodiment of the invention, the base plate includes a pair of oppositely-disposed, pivotable sidewalls (104) and the highback is attached to the base plate with a heel loop (112) that pivotably engages the sidewalls, such that straps (108, 110) mounted to the sidewalls move to engage the boot (90) when the highback is moved to an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: K-2 Corporation
    Inventor: John D. Martin
  • Patent number: 7232147
    Abstract: A device for retaining a foot or boot on an apparatus, such as a binding for a snowboard. The device has a lateral portion and a medial portion demarcating a receiving zone, a rear support element, and a linkage. The linkage includes a front part and a rear part. The front part is located nearer a support surface of the rear support element and the rear part is located nearer a free surface of the rear support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventor: Bernard Couderc
  • Patent number: 7219917
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a radius surface for use on a ski binding resistance mechanism cartridge. The radius surface of the present invention enables a cable coupled to the resistance mechanism cartridge to bend directly adjacent to the cartridge. Since the cable is able to bend adjacent to the cartridge, the overall functionality of a binding is improved. In addition, the radius surface can be adjusted to specifically dictate the exit bend radius allowed on the cable coupled to the resistance mechanism cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ben Walker, Mark Santurbane, David Narajowski, David Mellon, Thomas Laakso
  • Patent number: 7207591
    Abstract: Ski binding (1; 1?; 1?), in particular touring, telemark or cross-country binding, with a front retaining element associated with the front sole end (7a) of a ski boot (5), a back retaining element (21) so constructed that it engages an edge (7b) at the front part of the boot sole or at the heel of the boot, and a tensioning device (17; 25; 47; 17?; 17?) that connects the front and back retaining elements to one another, and that allows the front and back retaining elements to be locked to the ski boot and, in particular in the locked state, allows the heel of the boot to be raised away from the ski, wherein the front retaining element grips the sole of the ski boot on both sides near the tip of the boot, in particular with lateral resilience, and with the front retaining element there is associated an elastic pressing element (13) to press the upper side of the sole against the retaining element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Rottefella AS
    Inventors: Tilo Riedel, Bernt-Otto Hauglin
  • Patent number: 7201392
    Abstract: A downhill ski binding (2) that operates to allow the skier to select a number of skates or a time interval, after which a lock means (30) locks the rearward end (28) of a ski boot plate (4) to a ski plate/lift (14) and/or a ski (22) until reset. Until the pre-selected number of skates or time interval is reached, the rearward end of the ski boot plate is freely moveable with respect to the ski plate/lift and/or ski, thereby allowing the skier to freely skate. A variety of configurations and mechanical, electromechanical and electromagnetic dynamic locking means are described, several with remote input means (104) and a logic unit (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Inventor: Christopher M. King
  • Patent number: 7104550
    Abstract: A snowboard binding (1) that includes a part (10) that can move relative to a fixed part (2) and a manually actuated mechanism (20) for adjusting the position of and immobilizing the moveable part (10) relative to the fixed part (2), wherein said mechanism includes an operating lever (30), that is integral with the fixed part (2), and a retractable locking piece (25) that is capable of moving through the effect of the movement of the lever (30), between a position in which it is caught in a housing (15) chosen from a plurality of housings produced in the moveable part (10), and a position in which it is retracted, thus allowing the moveable part (10) to move relative to the fixed part (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Skis Rossignol S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Pascal
  • Patent number: 7100938
    Abstract: Disengageable ski binding having a carrying plate which is provided as a standing surface for a ski boot and is arranged on a ski-mounted base part such that it can be rotated about a vertical axis of the base part counter to an adjustable resistance of a first latching device, and having disengageable front and rear sole holders which are arranged on the carrying plate, it being the case that the rear sole holders can be disengaged counter to an adjustable resistance of a second latching arrangement, which is separate from the first latching device, and/or the front sole holders are locked within a predetermined angle-of-rotation region of the carrying plate, without affecting the resistance of the first latching device, and are unlocked outside the region of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Marker Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Krumbeck, Michael Mangold, Andreas Mann
  • Patent number: 7077403
    Abstract: A highback for controlling a gliding board, such as a snowboard, through leg movement of a rider. The highback is comprised of an upright support member including at least two portions that are to be contacted by and to support a rear portion of the rider's leg and that are movable relative to each other for setting a desired forward lean of the highback. The support member may include a lower portion with a pair of mounting locations for mounting the highback to a gliding board component, such as a snowboard binding, and an upper portion movably supported by the lower portion to vary the forward lean of the highback. The lower portion of the support member may be mounted to a snowboard binding baseplate for lateral rotation between a plurality of lateral positions. The highback may include a forward lean adjuster that prevents the upper portion from moving in the heel direction beyond a predetermined forward lean position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: The Burton Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Laughlin, David J. Dodge
  • Patent number: 7073812
    Abstract: An assembly for retaining a boot on a gliding board having a release block with at least one jaw for retaining a member for fastening the boot, the jaw being movable between a closed position in which it retains the fastening member and an open position in which it releases the fastening member, the jaw being maintained in the closed position by a movable latch. The movement of the latch is controlled by a source of pneumatic energy, with the exclusion of any other energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Rigal, Jean-François Merino
  • Patent number: 7063345
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety ski binding (1) with a toe and a heel binding (4, 5) and an electronic circuit arrangement (6). This circuit arrangement (6) comprises a computer unit and a memory system as well as a sensor system (8) for detecting at least one set safety release value of the safety ski binding (1). The circuit arrangement (6) has at least one electronic evaluation device (13, 14) with a software-driven, programmable micro-controller (39, 40), the micro-controller (39, 40) having a non-volatile memory system (41, 42) or being connected to a non-volatile memory system (41, 42). This micro-controller (39, 40) is programmed to store manually altered settings of the safety release value and/or changing states of the safety ski binding (1) detected by the sensor system (8) in the memory system (41, 42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: ATOMIC Austria GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Holzer
  • Patent number: 7029023
    Abstract: A snowboard binding is provided having a base to accommodate the boot of the user and keep it in a fixed position on the base; and a highback. The highback is adapted to allow the leg of a user to articulate through a range of motion. Attached to the highback is a system of springs or elastic members for returning the leg of the user to a neutral position relative to the board in the absence of an applied counterforce. For example, the highback can be attached to the base in such a manner as to allow the highback to articulate in a range extending from a forward position to a neutral position, and optionally to a rearward position, the neutral position being disposed between the forward position and any rearward position. In this binding, a tensioning member is affixed to the highback in such a manner as to resist articulation of the highback to the forward or the rearward position, and to apply a force to the highback to return it to the neutral position in the absence of an applied counterforce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: Raymond D. Fougere
  • Patent number: 7025372
    Abstract: A support device for a binding element securing a user's boot to a board for gliding over snow has a zone for mounting on the board for gliding over snow and a zone of contact with the lower face of the sole of the boot. The support device is divided into two longitudinal parts at least in the region of the zone of contact with the lower face of the sole of the boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Skis Rossignol S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Godde, Frédéric Eudier
  • Patent number: 6974149
    Abstract: In a binding for a snowboard according to the invention, one band having one end mounted on the one-side rising portion of a base plate is connected to the other end of the other band having one end mounted on the other-side rising using a connecting member. A means for mounting the bands onto the rising portion is composed of a hole formed in the bands, a plurality of holes each having a hook groove respectively formed in the rising portion, a pin including a projection to be inserted into the hook groove, a lever disposed on the pin for rotating the pin, and an arc-shaped groove formed in a desired depth portion of each of the plurality of holes with a hook groove coaxially with the same hole and in communication with the hook groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Carmate Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Naito, Tosiaki Satou, Yosinori Uchie
  • Patent number: 6811177
    Abstract: A device for binding a boot to a sports article, of the type having a housing that is adapted to receive a member for fastening the boot, and which is provided with a movable latch capable of being displaced between an open position, in which the fastening member can be introduced or disengaged from the housing, and a closed position, in which the latch prevents the disengagement of the fastening member, and of the type in which the displacement of the latch is controlled by a control system, whereby the control system has a gripping member that is slidably movable, and a connecting rod that is linked by its two ends to the latch, on the one hand, and to the gripping member, on the other hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventors: Bruno Lancon, Eddy Yelovina
  • Publication number: 20040207178
    Abstract: A highback for controlling a gliding board, such as a snowboard, through leg movement of a rider. The highback is comprised of an upright support member including at least two portions that are to be contacted by and to support a rear portion of the rider's leg and that are movable relative to each other for setting a desired forward lean of the highback. The support member may include a lower portion with a pair of mounting locations for mounting the highback to a gliding board component, such as a snowboard binding, and an upper portion movably supported by the lower portion to vary the forward lean of the highback. The lower portion of the support member may be mounted to a snowboard binding baseplate for lateral rotation between a plurality of lateral positions. The highback may include a forward lean adjuster that prevents the upper portion from moving in the heel direction beyond a predetermined forward lean position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: The Burton Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Laughlin, David J. Dodge
  • Publication number: 20040207177
    Abstract: Ski binding (1; 1′; 1″), in particular touring, telemark or cross-country binding, with a front retaining element associated with the front sole end (7a) of a ski boot (5), a back retaining element (21) so constructed that it engages an edge (7b) at the front part of the boot sole or at the heel of the boot, and a tensioning device (17; 25; 47; 17′; 17″) that connects the front and back retaining elements to one another, and that allows the front and back retaining elements to be locked to the ski boot and, in particular in the locked state, allows the heel of the boot to be raised away from the ski, wherein the front retaining element grips the sole of the ski boot on both sides near the tip of the boot, in particular with lateral resilience, and with the front retaining element there is associated an elastic pressing element (13) to press the upper side of the sole against the retaining element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Tilo Riedel, Bernt-Otto Hauglin
  • Publication number: 20040145154
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety ski binding (1) with a toe and a heel binding (4, 5) and an electronic circuit (6) incorporating an electronic display device (7) and sensor system (8) for displaying at least one set safety release value of the safety ski binding (1). An evaluation device (13, 14) is provided in both the toe binding (4) and the heel binding (5), each of which has at least one sensor (15, 16) for detecting at least the set safety release values. Each of the evaluation devices (13, 14) respectively has a separate power supply system (21, 22) and transmitter and/or receiver device (19, 20) for operating a wireless, one-way or two-way data or signal transmission between them, only a single display device (7) being provided on the toe binding or on the heel binding (4, 5), in particular a display (25) with graphic capability, in order to display the respective values or states of the toe and heel binding (4, 5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: ATOMIC Austria GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Holzer
  • Publication number: 20040145153
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety ski binding (1) with a toe and a heel binding (4, 5) and an electronic circuit arrangement (6). This circuit arrangement (6) comprises a computer unit and a memory system as well as a sensor system (8) for detecting at least one set safety release value of the safety ski binding (1). The circuit arrangement (6) has at least one electronic evaluation device (13, 14) with a software-driven, programmable micro-controller (39, 40), the micro-controller (39, 40) having a non-volatile memory system (41, 42) or being connected to a non-volatile memory system (41, 42). This micro-controller (39, 40) is programmed to store manually altered settings of the safety release value and/or changing states of the safety ski binding (1) detected by the sensor system (8) in the memory system (41, 42).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: ATOMIC Austria GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Holzer
  • Publication number: 20040135348
    Abstract: An apparatus for binding a boot to a base plate of a snowboard, having: a first band mounted on a first side of the base plate; a second band mounted on a second side of the base plate opposite the first side of the base plate in a width direction, the second band being removably attached to the first band, so as to fasten a toe end portion of the boot to the base plate wherein the second band fastens the toe end portion at an acute angle with respect to the base plate and the toe end portion of the boot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Hideyuki Naito, Tosiaki Sato, Yoshinori Uchie
  • Patent number: 6755426
    Abstract: A snowboarding boot includes a sole assembly having an outsole with a the lower face for contacting a ground surface and a reinforcing piece. Further included is a transverse plate for interaction with complementary arrangements of a binding. The plate is mechanically integrated with the sole assembly. An elastic element is interposed between the plate and the sole assembly. The element is deformable to allow lateral deflection of the boot relative to the binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Skis Rossignol S.A.
    Inventors: Nicolas Yvars, Pierre Gignoux, Jean-Marc Pascal
  • Patent number: 6736413
    Abstract: A highback for controlling a gliding board, such as a snowboard, through leg movement of a rider. The highback is comprised of an upright support member including at least two portions that are to be contacted by and to support a rear portion of the rider's leg and that are movable relative to each other for setting a desired forward lean of the highback. The support member may include a lower portion with a pair of mounting locations for mounting the highback to a gliding board component, such as a snowboard binding, and an upper portion movably supported by the lower portion to vary the forward lean of the highback. The highback may include a forward lean adjuster that that prevents the upper portion from moving in the heel direction beyond a predetermined forward lean position. The forward lean adjuster may be coupled to the upper portion and the lower portion of the highback to maintain the upper portion in the selected forward lean position independent of the gliding board component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: The Burton Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Laughlin, David J. Dodge
  • Patent number: 6679514
    Abstract: A binding unit support comprises a support body of a length approximately that of the binding unit and having a longitudinal axis, distal end regions of the support body receiving jaw bodies of the binding unit, a bottom face of the support body having at least part regions designed to sit on a top face of a board-type runner, and a middle region of the support body being of a lesser structural stiffness than the end regions. A fixing device mounts the support body on the top face of the board-type runner, the fixing device comprising longitudinally spaced brackets extending transversely over at least one of the end regions across the support body and guiding the support body for freely sliding in the longitudinal direction relative to the top face of the board-type runner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Atomic Austria GmbH
    Inventors: Max Luitz, Adolf Stonig
  • Patent number: 6669211
    Abstract: A device for retaining a boot on a sports apparatus. The device includes a strap provided to extend between two fasteners, the strap including a covering portion and one or two fastening portions. A cover covers the covering portion to demarcate a channel for receiving a free end of each fastening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Gonthier
  • Publication number: 20030164599
    Abstract: A universal snow boot and binding for use in connection with either snow skiing or snow boarding which is easy to use and provides quick, easy and positive interconnection of the snow boot with the upper surface of the ski or snowboard. The snow boot or foot enclosure component of the invention carries a permanent magnet that engages a metal plate provided on the snowboard. The mechanical locking mechanism that is operated by the user is also strategically mounted on the snowboard. The mechanical locking component includes a toe locking mechanism and a cooperating heel locking mechanism that is easily operable to enable the snow boot to be readily disconnected from the upper surface of the snowboard or snow ski.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventor: Eugene Golling
  • Publication number: 20030146588
    Abstract: Mount 10 for attaching a boot binding 120 to a snowboard 100 allows free swiveling of binding 120 in a plane parallel to the deck of snowboard 100. Mount 10 includes a swivel assembly 20 with an upper face 8 for attaching a boot binding 120, a lower face 5 for attaching a snowboard, and cant disk 60 for canting boot binding 120 to an angle non-parallel to the deck of snowboard 100.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Jon Fiebing